The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1363 authored by Rep. Negele pertaining to criminal mischief and criminal trespass. The bill provides that a person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally damages the property of a scientific research facility without the consent of, or with consent which was fraudulently obtained, the owner, possessor, or occupant of the property that is damaged, commits criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also provides that a person who, not having a contractual interest in the property, knowingly or intentionally enters the real property of a scientific research facility without the permission of, or with permission which was fraudulently obtained, the owner of the scientific research facility or an authorized person, and knowingly or intentionally engages in conduct that causes property damage to: (1) the owner of or a person having a contractual interest in the scientific research facility; (2) the operator of the scientific research facility; or (3) a person having personal property located on the property of the scientific research facility; commits criminal trespass, a Level 6 felony.
A technical corrections amendment was adopted by consent. An Indiana businessman testified in support of the bill. The Indiana Public Defender Council testified in opposition to the increased criminal penalties. The amended bill passed 11-2.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/house/1363